Thousands unite in grief as Robert is laid to rest

THE bells of the Holy Rosary Church tolled 12 times as Robert Holohan's body was placed in the ground on Saturday: once, it seemed, for every year of his young life and once for a birthday he will never have.

Midleton, the East Cork town which has been thrust unwillingly into the national spotlight over the last week or two, shut down for the funeral of the youngster.

The streets were lined with thousands of people as a garda motorcyclist led the cortege through the centre of the town. Approximately 3,000 mourners crammed into the church and grounds as the majority of the town's businesses ceased trading as a mark of respect for the family.